Jubal Lee Young – Squirrels
This album gives off the scent of being a novelty record on first listen. However, a closer inspection reveals mature, insightful songs with a sense of humor. Jubal Lee Young (vocals/guitar/harmonica) says wisely that as he gets older, he doesn’t get filled with dread as much as he used to because he’s a veteran of life. He’s seen it already, heard it all before. And that’s the focus of this showcase.
The music is original on the 16-track Squirrels (Drops Aug. 15/7 Bridges Entertainment/55:13) produced by Markus Stadler (banjo/dobro/mandolin/Bouzouki/baritone guitar/vocals), & recorded in Nashville, TN. Young’s approach is a cross between Waylon Jennings & Jubal’s father Steve Young, but there’s also an undertow of John Prine mixed with a pinch of Steve Earle — a unique blend. It’s why people buy expensive whiskey & then ask for a side of water. What am I suggesting? The music is watered-down. No, not at all. His roots music is so strong in its theme & message, you’ll need a little water if you can’t hold your Jubal Lee Young Americana.
The structure’s often old-time Texas country-folk, rustic, & homegrown. Though lyrically, not always accurate, Jubal is but clever & he innocently renders his tunes with a touch of vinegar where needed. There’s a bit of Tex-Mex in the accordion-flavored “Hand-Painted Portuguese Paint Bowl,” which will be mindful of the late country singer Roger Miller (“King of the Road”). Miller was another artist who could see-saw between near-campy to serious songwriting (“River In the Rain”).
This is Jubal’s 7th album, a colorful, well-designed 4-panel die cut & laminated package. The novelty temptation falls away during songs like “Love Happens,” a good country-flavored song with fiddles & acoustic guitars. Mr. Young has absorbing vocals throughout & can be quite diversified with his entertaining presentation.
There are some explicit lyrics on 4 numbers, but plenty of warnings. Mr. Young’s upbeat, colorful songs are fairly simple, but his skill with lyrics & storytelling is exceptional even on the more randy songs (“Paris,” “IDGAF”) that could become saloon classics. Humor-wise, Jubal isn’t in the light-hearted/comedic tradition of Johnny Bond, or Little Jimmy Dickens, but he’s also not in the hardcore world of David Allan Coe & Wheeler Walker Jr. There’s a difference. One listen to Jubal’s “Kind All The Time” keeps his serious side coherent.
Highlights – “Squirrels,” “Don’t Be a Dickhead,” “Weird,” “Hand-Painted Portuguese Paint Bowl,” “Love Happens,” “Paris,” “Kind All The Time,” & “Coffee.”
Musicians – Christian Sedelmeyer (fiddle), Charlie Pate (bass), Jeff Taylor (accordion) & Brian Nash (squirrel bark).
Color image courtesy of Chuck Shanlever. CD @ https://juballeeyoung.com/
Song premiere: Video Premiere: Jubal Lee Young “Don’t Be A Dickhead”